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House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	June 12, 2019 11:41 AM
From:	Representative Dan Moul
To:	All House members
Subject:	Designating September as Hirschsprung's Disease Awareness Month in Pennsylvania

Hirschsprung's Disease ("HD") is a condition at birth were there is an absence of certain intestinal nerve cells, which inhibits or prevents the elimination of waste from the newborn body. HD exists in 1 in 5,000 births. It is 4 times more common in boys than girls. Symptoms may be common so HD is difficult to recognize. They are: ◊ Delayed passage of newborn meconium. ◊ Ongoing chronic constipation ◊ Excessive vomiting ◊ Unexplained fever ◊ Hard mass, bloated belly Other HD facts: ◊ Non-treatment can lead to malnourishment, perforated bowel, or even unexpected death from sepsis. ◊ HD develops during the 5th to 12th weeks of gestation when nerve cells are migrating from the brain, down the spinal column, to form the intestines. ◊ There are degrees of severity, based on where that migration of nerve cells stops during fetal development. ◊ Biopsy (tissue testing) of internal bowel is necessary for diagnosis. ◊ Surgical correction is necessary. “Pull-thru" surgery removes the nonfunctioning portion. In the most severe forms, intestinal transplant is necessary. ◊ If HD is suspected, seek immediate medical attention. The hope of Hirschsprung’s Awareness is to reach those caregivers of that 1 in 5000 affected child that such a disease does exist so that early diagnosis and proper treatment ensue.

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